But earlier this summer, as I made my way to the IGA to stock up on basics, I noticed a number of changes to Southold – especially in the area of home goods – furniture, food stuffs, décor, etc. So a couple of weekends ago, I took time away from my very full agenda of reading on the porch, to window shop, snap photos and stroll Main Street in Southold.

My family and I are ending our year with a visit to Sydney, Australia. Whether in the city or its suburbs, Sydney is one of those places that screams its history through its buildings. Grand colonial structures built with the local sandstone. English arts and crafts–style dwellings reinterpreted with verandas to protect from the local sun. Federation style homes also with the requisite verandas framed with local iron. Modern office and apartment buildings turned to capture the views and strong breezes. Roofs tilted for solar panels and to capture rain water.

Since I am on vacation, I get to treat myself to the pleasure of flipping through magazines — on the beach, deck, alone or hanging with friends and family. Many of these will loosely fall into the “shelter” magazine category — lifestyles, interiors, and architecture.